Sunday, March 1, 2015

Finnian: I took you to the park so you could be wild. See that smile? Says it all.

Nellie: As long as you can see what is going on, you are happy.

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It is harder than I thought it would be, not posting photographs of our eldest. I miss them being here in this space. I am currently organising photo books to be printed for 2013 and 2014 Project 52. It is a lot of work but so very worthwhile.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Michael's three weeks annual leave is over tomorrow, and the white picket fence we've dreamt of since buying this house is just about complete. He has been working so hard on it all month, but he says it is satisfying work and we are both enjoying the opportunity to finally complete projects on this home of ours.

Ronan has taken to school like a fish to water - as have the rest of us. School works well for this family of ours, we thrived off structure and routine, and with Ronan so settled and happy, we too are settled and happy.

Three days per week Finn goes to the community preschool down the road. It is school hours and run by warm, dedicated and loving teachers. It is a lovely environment for him to be in and breaks up our week, giving me some respite and precious one-on-one time with Nellie. I am not convinced three days is best and am considering dropping him down to just two days, but I'll give it until the end of this term and then decide. He is also learning how to be at home without his big brother constantly by his side and I do my best to keep him busy. I think it is good for him in a way, to have time without Ronan there (telling him what to do).

Nellie is rolling around the living room floor, so pleased with herself for her efforts. She is pure joy that girl of ours.

I'm trying to find balance between house work, rest and all the projects I am mulling over. I am not making enough time to sit and write, or sew, or take photographs or create recipes - and a little creative project, that I had hoped would one day turn into a little business hasn't even had a chance to get off the ground. I haven't given up on it, I just need the time.

Days now fly by and the weeks are melting away, once we have woken, dressed, eaten breakfast and done the school drop off, I bring Nellie home for her feed and a sleep, I eat some lunch and hang out some washing and unpack the dishwasher and it's almost time to get back in the car for school pick-up. I am not complaining though. Those quiet, productive few hours in the middle of the day are a God-send, so much so that I am unsure how I was even getting things done before school began!

The weather is humid and even the rain brings little to no relief from the sticky heat. Summer days are almost gone and I feel an urgency to spend more time in the ocean before it turns cold.

I am eating far too much sugary food and I feel it in my lack of well-being. My energy levels are low and I am making no time for exercise. Another area I need to find balance in.

There is a sense of hope and excitement for what this year may bring us. In just over a months time Michael's name will be on a transfer list for a local job - it will mean so much for us as a family. There have been no regrets and I still stand by all the decisions we have made as a family, but to have him home? It will mean so much.

I often think about friends who live far away, and I miss their warmth and familiarity. Some are overseas and some are a days drive away, but they are always on my mind and in my heart.

I am tired. If Nellie doesn't wake through the night, then surely one of the boys will so not a night goes by without some broken sleep. I remind myself this is a stage of life for us, with young children. Not a bad stage, but a busy and tiring one. I am certain one day, in many, many years to come, I'll look back on these years only with fondness and a longing for them to return.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Your two bottom teeth are well and truly up and you use them often during feeds, which I'm not too thrilled about.

You love rolling around the lounge room floor and do so with a big, proud grin.

The Jolly Jumper is one of your favourite things, but you only get about ten minutes a day in it - ten minutes of squealing delight for you.

Tomorrow you will have your six month check up and vaccinations, this is something we believe it very important, although not fun for you to have them done.

You are now enjoying two to three solid meals per day, after a breastfeed. You've now tried avocado, banana, apple, sweet potato, carrot and just today you had chicken in with your vegetables. You don't eat much but it's increasing every day.

Sleeping arrangements have changed with me no longer tucking you in on your back. Both of your arms are now free and you roll around until you are comfortable and fall asleep (usually on your tummy). We still put you in a lightweight sleeping back so your legs cannot get trapped in the cot bars.

Hello

I'm a wife and mama of three.

I like to photograph my children & write about the wonderful, as well as the ordinary.Welcome to the place where I capture moments of our days.I have a feeling that these are some of the best years of our lives.